Philippines’ bid for UN Security Council seat sidesteps maritime row
As a potential council member, the Philippines is expected to address broader global security issues and be a ‘responsible middle power’
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s pitch for a United Nations Security Council seat this week was notable for his sidestepping of an issue at the core of Manila’s foreign policy in recent years.
As he appealed to UN members in New York, Marcos framed the Philippines as a bridge connecting developing countries and middle-income economies, without making any direct reference to the South China Sea dispute.
The president’s restrained speech, which avoided mentioning China despite ongoing tensions between Manila and Beijing in the contested waters, reflects a deliberate diplomatic campaign aimed at broadening the Philippines’ appeal in the Global South, according to analysts.
Speaking at a special plenary meeting at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, Marcos urged member states to back the Philippines for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, presenting the country as a “representative voice” for developing nations and a partner committed to diplomacy and coalition-building.
“We, of the Philippines, offer a voice from this region, the voice of developing countries, the voice of climate vulnerable nations, and the voice of middle-income countries facing competing challenges and priorities … All this, whilst persevering to achieve the well-being and security of our peoples,” Marcos said.
In his speech, Marcos did not address maritime tensions in the South China Sea, noting that as a “responsible state party, we abide by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea”.